Abdomenizer

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The Abdomenizer (or Abdomeniser) was an abdominal exerciser invented in 1984 by Canadian chiropractor Dennis Colonello[1][2][3] and marketed through infomercials[4] by the Fitness Quest corporation of Canton, Ohio. It was an almost flat, saddle-like piece of thermoformed plastic, about 2 by 3 feet, with handles and a depression for the tailbone. The infomercial, first broadcast in October 1988[5] and featuring Charlene Tilton,[6] promised that you would "rock, rock, rock your way to a firmer stomach".[7] By 1992, 1.5 million had been sold directly from TV advertising, and 2 million more had been sold in stores,[5] but it is no longer sold.

The product was designed to protect the lower back during sit-ups, "But they won't make the exercise any easier and they won't magically "firm both upper and lower abdominals," as the box claims."[8] Using an Abdomenizer might lead to overly fast movements, causing injury.[9] Wired described it as:

“ A symbol for TV shopping channels everywhere, a cheaply made, overpriced widget that is destined to be unpacked, tried exactly once, and consigned to the basement.[10] ”

Many people used them as snow sleds,[11] and a warning label was affixed advising against this use.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Colonello, Dennis, "Apparatus for use in exercising the abdominal muscles", US 4752067, issued 21 June 1988
  2. ^ "Abdomenizer advert". Weekly World News. 17 October 1989. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=N-0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA18&dq=. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  3. ^ "Green garbage bags, zippers and ginger ale, Canada's contributions many". Grand Forks Herald. 1 July 2001. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=GF&s_site=grandforks&p_multi=GF&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED00A169DEE221B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  4. ^ What's what: Design expert Oliver Bennett selects objects that he finds inspirational - and those that are simply a waste of space, The Guardian, 2005
  5. ^ a b "From 'as seen on TV' to as seen at the store - exercise equipment marketing ,". Discount Store News. 6 January 1992. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n1_v31/ai_11768357/. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  6. ^ O'Sullivan, Kevin (12 April 1996). "Meanwhile folks, back at the ranch ...as the Ewing family reunites, we look at what's been happening to the stars of 'Dallas'". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1996/04/21/1996-04-21_meanwhile_folks__back_at_the.html. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  7. ^ "Fitness Quest after fiscal fitness: Canton company may double 1990 sales figures". Akron Beacon Journal. 14 September 1991. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=AK&s_site=ohio&p_multi=AK&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB62D346D53EA46&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  8. ^ Iknoian, Therese (6 October 1991). "Putting it to the test - how good is the exercise equipment hawked on late-night TV? Are the devices truly effective, safe and easy to use?". LA Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1991-10-06/news/ss-102_1_exercise-equipment?pg=1. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  9. ^ "50 ways to get fit for summer: 11 - Let a machine take the strain - but which one?". Daily Telegraph. 10 June 2007. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/dietandfitness/3349646/50-ways-to-get-fit-for-summer.html. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  10. ^ Sorrel, Charlies (16 July 2008). "Four Fitness Gadgets You Probably Already Own". Wired. http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/07/four-fitness-ga/. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  11. ^ O'Brien, Kathleen (13 January 1993). "Tough Sledding". The Record (New Jersey). http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-22657473.html. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 

[edit] External links

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